smaller sized gun dog

[gboa]

i recently lost my little papillon after almost 13 years and was thinking about addding a new addition in the spring to help keep company with my vizsla. i have a hard task convincing the mother in law (who we live with) shes too upset to want to go through that again but at least the wife is ok with it. here is the crirteria i have handed to me...1. small in size 2. not too much of a shedder 3. a closer working gun dog as most days i walk in fields close to the house and don't need a big ranging dog to get on the streets. so far im thinking brittany as the obvious choice but have been curious about field bred cockers after seeing some work on tv. i prefer pointers but am open minded to all breeds. 30lbs range is a good and exludes most other breeds but maybe im missing certain lines that are smaller. any other breeds out there running smaller that i might be missing?

[terrym]

My male Brittany is 22" at the withers, weighs 48 pounds and is not anywhere near what I would call a close working dog. Would probably make your mother in laws head explode. Hopefully the cocker owners chime in here.

[gboa]

haha, i grew up with britts and gsp's, my sister currently has a brit thats about the same size as yours but i know ive seen smaller ones out there. oh well, i got lots of time to do homework and am in no immediate rush. my current vizsla is 52lbs and a fantastic dog, just looking smaller to keep the ladies of the house a little happier with 2 dogs again.

[welsh]

For a pointing dog one of the various continental spaniel breeds (other than Brittany) might suit but they aren't common. Most will run closer to 40 pounds, too.

[thunderbelly]

Cumberland?

[gboa]

my old britt growing up was 42-45lb male, surely some females can be smaller, the breed standard says between 30-40lbs but i know you cant always be sure how big a pup can get. clumber seem even bigger though not sure, but i prefer the looks and work of a britt. like i said those field bred cockers have def peaked my curiousity as well but ive never worked with a flushing dog before.

[thunderbelly]

BEAGLE!!
You've already got a bird dog, add to the hunting with a different type of dog.

[finsfurfeathers]

Brittanys were originally touted as the smallest pointers. Dad's first Torbec Little Tea back in '69 was little bigger than a cat. Its almost a shame now some lines are bigger than labs. As far as range they are a close working dog however they are quick and do require a lot of control to keep them reigned in.

[terrym]

Haven't seen a close working Brittany yet. They will close in in timbered cover but if it opens up look out. If you stick with a female 30 lbs is quite possible.

[gboa]

i remember a few years ago seeing a lady with a small munsterlander and at 3 years she said it was 35-40lbs, but i think she also said that was rare for the breed as they usually push near 50lbs. terrym how far ranging is far? i was always under the impression most britt lines are close to moderate workers except for field trial lines. like i said i still need to do more homework.